System to make consumers aware of electricity usage

ABSTRACT

Energy usage of a plurality of appliances is measured using a single meter. A pattern of energy usage with respect to the plurality of appliances is determined dependent upon the measured energy usage, appliance details of the plurality of appliances, and usage hours of the plurality of appliances. The pattern is provided to a user of the appliances.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field of the present application relates to making endconsumers aware of their electricity usage.

BACKGROUND

In order to make energy consumers such as home owners aware of theenergy usage of their various appliances, information regarding energyusage is often provided to the energy consumers. It is hoped that thisawareness will help energy consumers to avoid energy waste in operatingtheir appliances.

Measurement equipment could, of course, be installed for each of theconsumer's energy consuming appliances, or least for each of theconsumer's major energy consuming appliances. Outputs from suchequipment could then be used to inform the consumers of the energy usageof their appliances. However, such equipment adds extra cost for each ofthe appliances being monitored.

Moreover, it is also desirable to install communication equipment inorder to communicate the energy consumption of the various appliances toa central module where the energy awareness information related to theappliances can be calculated and presented to the consumer. However, ifenergy measuring equipment is used for each appliance, providingcommunication equipment for each energy measuring equipment results ineven more cost.

Disclosed herein is an energy awareness system which avoids the additionof energy measurement equipment at each of the appliances to bemonitored for energy awareness. Instead, the energy awareness systemadds only one energy measurement equipment at the mains of the buildingor house. The awareness system, for example, may be arranged to poll theenergy measurement equipment at the mains in order to fetch the energyconsumption at the mains, and may further be arranged to use this energyconsumption data and profiles of each of the appliance within thebuilding or house to infer the consumption for each appliance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will becomebetter understood when the following detailed description is read withreference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an energy awareness system;

FIG. 2 illustrates processing equipment that can be used in the energyawareness system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of table containing appliance details andusage hours stored in memory of the energy awareness system of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4-7 are graphs showing example inferences that can be made basedon power consumption measured by a single energy awareness meter;

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of an energy consumption report that maybe provided to occupant(s) of a building in which the energy awarenesssystem of FIG. 1 is deployed; and,

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of an example program that can be executed tocreate the report of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIG. 1, an energy usage awareness system 10 includes anenergy awareness meter 12 that is coupled in an electrical service 14 ofa facility or building 16 downstream of an electric company's tariffmeter 18. The energy awareness meter 12, for example, may be a digitalmeter, and the building 16, for example, may be a residence such as ahouse. However, the energy awareness meter 12 may be other than adigital meter, and the building 16 may be other than a residence. Theelectric company's tariff meter 18 supplies energy usage informationthat is used for billing purposes by the electric company providing theelectrical service 14 to the building 16.

The energy awareness meter 12 measures the energy used by a plurality ofappliances 20 within the building 16 on a periodic basis, such as once aminute, to provide the measured energy usage information with a finelevel of granularity. Thus, the granularity of the energy consumptionmeasurements is at the minute by minute level. However, the energyawareness meter 12 may measure the energy consumed by the appliances 20within the building 16 on a periodic basis other than once a minute, orthe energy awareness meter 12 may measure the energy consumed by theappliances 20 within the building 16 on a non-periodic basis.

The energy usage awareness system 10 also includes a processingapparatus 22. The energy awareness meter 12 communicates the measuredenergy usage information to the processing apparatus 22 as soon as theenergy awareness meter 12 acquires the measured energy usageinformation. Alternatively, the energy awareness meter 12 may bearranged to store the measured energy usage information over apredetermined amount of time, such as hourly, and then communicate thestored information hourly to the processing apparatus 22. The processingapparatus 22 maintains the granularity of the energy usage measured bythe energy awareness meter 12.

The processing apparatus 22 may be provided locally within the building16. For example, the processing apparatus 22 may be located at theenergy awareness meter 12. In this case, the processing apparatus 22 andthe energy awareness meter 12 may be contained within the same housingor separate housings.

Alternatively, the processing apparatus 22 may be located within thebuilding 16 but remotely from the energy awareness meter 12. In thiscase, the processing apparatus 22 may be located so as to provideconvenient access to the occupant(s) of the building 16.

As a further alternative, the processing apparatus 22 may be providedremotely from the building 16. In this case, at least a display 24 ofthe processing apparatus 22 is located within the building 16 to provideenergy awareness information to its occupant(s). However, instead ofproviding the energy awareness information to the occupant(s) of thebuilding 16 by use of the display 24 associated with the processingapparatus 22, the energy awareness information can be otherwise providedto the occupant(s) of the building 16 such as by use of e-mail or postalmail.

The energy awareness meter 12 may be coupled to the processing apparatus22 by a link 26. For example, the link 26 may be a wire link. A wirelink may be most convenient in the case where the energy awareness meter12 and the processing apparatus 22 are located proximate to one another.Alternatively, the link 26 may be a wireless link. A wireless link maybe most convenient in the case where the processing apparatus 22 islocated remotely from the building 16 at which the energy awarenessmeter 12 is used. In the case where the energy awareness meter 12 andthe processing apparatus 22 are located remotely from one another butboth within the building 16, the link 26 may be either a wire link or awireless link to couple the energy awareness meter 12 and the processingapparatus 22.

As shown in FIG. 2, the processing apparatus 22, for example, includes aprocessor 28 such as computer, an input 30, an output 32, and a memory34.

The input 30 may include one or more input devices such as a mouse, akeyboard, etc. capable of inputting data to the processor 28. The input30 may be used to input data. This data may be stored in the memory 34or may be used directly by the processor 28.

The output 32 may include one or more output devices such as a monitor,a printer, etc. The monitor of the output 32 may or may not comprise thedisplay 24.

The memory 34 stores data such as input data, energy measurement data,and/or output data. The memory 34 may also store programming foroperating the processor 28 and for providing the energy awarenessinformation as described herein.

The occupant(s) of the building 16 provides appliance details and hoursof usage regarding the use of each electrical appliance on typical dayssuch as workdays, holidays, and weekends. This input is provided by useof the input 30 and is stored in the memory 34 or elsewhere. Theprocessor 28 may lead the occupant(s) through the input of this data byway of suitable displays on the output 32.

The appliance details includes, for example, the rating and type of eachof the electrical appliances. These electrical appliances are, forexample, dishwashers, clothes washers, clothes dryers, air conditioners,electric heaters, hot water heaters, etc.

FIG. 3 is a table showing an example of appliance details and usagehours stored in the memory 34. Based on this table, certain inferencesabout the power consumed by the appliances in a building can be madefrom the actual overall power consumption as measured by the energyawareness meter 12.

The graph of FIG. 4 shows by way of example the overall energyconsumption by the appliances of a building as measured by the energyawareness meter 12. The graph of FIG. 4 specifically points outs theinference that can be made as to the power consumed by a refrigerator.This inference is based on the table of FIG. 3 and the building energyconsumption as measured by the energy awareness meter 12. Although arefrigerator is turned “on” all of the time, its compressor actuallycycles “on” and “off” at a rate that depends on a number of factors.These factors include how well the refrigerator is insulated, roomtemperature, freezer temperature, how often the door is opened,cleanliness of the evaporator coils, defrosting regularity, and thecondition of door seals. It is assumed for purposes of FIG. 4 that therefrigerator cycles approximately 15 minutes on and 45 minutes off.Also, the refrigerator continues to draw a small amount of power evenwhen it is switched “off.” The graph of FIG. 4 shows that the “on” and“off” cycles exist throughout the day.

The graph of FIG. 5 specifically points outs the inference that can bemade as to the power consumed by water heaters. Again, this inference isbased on the table of FIG. 3 and the building energy consumption asmeasured by the energy awareness meter 12. The graph of FIG. 5specifically points out the inferred contribution of two hot waterheaters to the overall energy consumption measured by the energyawareness meter 12. The hot water heaters in this example each has arating of 1500 watts and above. This graph shows that the two hot waterheaters are “on” primarily between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM.

The graph of FIG. 6 specifically points outs the inference that can bemade as to the power consumed by a microwave oven. This inference islikewise based on the table of FIG. 3 and the building energyconsumption as measured by the energy awareness meter 12. The microwaveoven in this example has a rating of 1100 watts. The microwave is on fora short duration, typically 1 to 3 minutes. The graph of FIG. 6 showsthe two short duration spikes corresponding to microwave oven usage.

The graph of FIG. 7 specifically points outs the inference that can bemade as to the power consumed by fans, lights, and the refrigerator.This inference is based on the table of FIG. 3 and the building energyconsumption as measured by the energy awareness meter 12.

Each time the energy awareness meter 12 measures energy usage within thebuilding 16, the processing apparatus 22 refers to the appliance detailsand usage hours stored in the memory 34 in order to infer whichappliance is being used.

The processing apparatus 22 assembles this inferred energy usageinformation into a report such as shown in FIG. 8 to make theoccupant(s) aware of the energy consumption of the various applianceswithin the building 16. This report, for example, shows the energy usagepattern for the appliances of the building 16. As indicated above, thisreport may be displayed on the display 24, may be e-mailed to theoccupant(s), or may be postal mailed to the occupant(s).

Accordingly, energy consumption awareness information may be providedfor some or all of the appliances of a building by use of a singleenergy awareness meter.

FIG. 9 if a flow chart illustrating a program 50 that may be stored inthe memory 34 and executed by the processor to produce the powerconsumption reports by appliance even though only a single measurementdevice is used as discussed above.

At 52 of the program 50, the power consumption of the facility orbuilding 16 as measured by the energy awareness meter 12 is read. At 54,the power consumption read at 52 and the time of the reading is storedin the memory 34. As indicated above, the granularity of the readingsmay be on a minute by minute basis. In this case, the output of theenergy awareness meter 12 is read at 52 and is stored at 54 each minute.However, any other suitable level of granularity can be used.

At 56, a determination is made as to whether it is time to reportappliance by appliance power consumption. Such a report may be madedaily or on any other desired basis. If it is not time to report,program flow returns to 52 for additional measurements. If it is time toreport, appliance by appliance inferences are made at 58 based on thetable of FIG. 3 that is stored in the memory 34 and the measurementsthat are read at 52 and are stored in the memory 34 at 54. At 60, anappliance by appliance power consumption report such as shown in FIG. 8is created based on these inferences. At 62, this report is provided asan output. For example, the report may be provided on the output 32 suchas by way of a displayed and/or printed report.

Certain modifications of the present invention have been discussedabove. Other modifications of the present invention will occur to thosepracticing in the art of the present invention.

For example, the energy usage awareness system 10 has been describedabove in connection with making building occupant(s) of their electricalenergy usage patterns. However, the energy usage awareness system 10 canbe used to make building occupant(s) of their patterns of using otherforms of energy such as gas. If the energy usage awareness system 10 isused to make building occupant(s) of their gas usage patterns, theenergy awareness meter 12 would be arranged to measure gas flow at themain input to the building 16, and the memory 34 stores appliancedetails includes, for example, the rating and type of each of the gasappliances. These gas appliances are, for example, dishwashers, clotheswashers, clothes dryers, hot water heaters, and/or other gas consumingappliances.

As another example, the building 16 may be a residence, a factory, anoffice building, a warehouse, or any other structure or enclosure orotherwise within which plural appliances are used.

Consequently, the description of the present invention is to beconstrued as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching thoseskilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the invention. Thedetails may be varied substantially without departing from the spirit ofthe invention, and the exclusive use of all modifications which arewithin the scope of the appended claims is reserved.

1. An energy usage awareness system comprising: an energy meter thatmeasures energy usage; a memory that stores appliance details and usagehours for a plurality of energy using appliances; and, a processorcoupled to the energy meter and to the memory, wherein the processorinfers energy usage patterns in response to the measured energy usageand the appliance details and usage hours.
 2. The system of claim 1further comprising a display, wherein the display displays the energyusage patterns provided by the processor.
 3. The system of claim 2wherein the display is located so as to be viewable by users of theappliances but remotely from the energy meter.
 4. The system of claim 1wherein the energy meter is coupled to a tariff meter, and wherein thetariff meter is coupled to an electrical service for the appliances. 5.The system of claim 4 further comprising a display, wherein the displaydisplays the energy usage patterns provided by the processor.
 6. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein the processor is coupled to the energy meterby a link, wherein the link comprises a wire link.
 7. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the processor is coupled to the energy meter by a link,wherein the link comprises a wireless link.
 8. An energy usage awarenessmethod comprising: measuring energy usage of a plurality of appliancesusing a single meter; inferring a pattern of energy usage for each ofthe plurality of appliances dependent upon the measured energy usage,appliance details of the plurality of appliances, and usage hours of theplurality of appliances; and, providing the pattern to a user of theappliances.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the providing of thepattern to a user of the appliances comprises displaying the pattern ona display.
 10. The method of claim 8 wherein the providing of thepattern to a user of the appliances comprises displaying the pattern ona display that is located so as to be viewable by the user and that islocated remotely from the single meter.
 11. The method of claim 8wherein the measuring of energy usage comprises measuring the energyusage at a point that is between a tariff meter and the appliances. 12.The method of claim 11 wherein the providing of the pattern to a user ofthe appliances comprises displaying the pattern on a display.
 13. Themethod of claim 11 wherein the providing of the pattern to a user of theappliances comprises displaying the pattern on a display that is locatedso as to be viewable by the user and that is located remotely from thesingle meter.
 14. The method of claim 8 wherein the measuring of energyusage of a plurality of appliances using a single meter comprisescommunicating the measured energy usage to a processor, and wherein thedetermining of a pattern of energy usage comprises determining thepattern of energy usage by use of the processor.
 15. The method of claim14 wherein the communicating of the measured energy usage to a processorcomprises communicating the measured energy usage to the processor overa wire link.
 16. The method of claim 14 wherein the communicating of themeasured energy usage to a processor comprises communicating themeasured energy usage to the processor over a wireless link.